[Flashback]+[Scene] It's a Two-in-One Deal, Pal!
Gumshoe: *late fall, 2023, Dick Gumshoe has been cleaning out the mess of his office for the past hour or two since returning from sharing the great news of his promotion with Miles Edgeworth. He rummages through a few boxes, carefully making a pile for stuff to keep and stuff to toss. So far progress is slow as he his natural instincts as a pack rat kick in, causing him to go back and forth between the heaping piles, unable to decide what goes where.* Hm....my old broken pencil sharpener... I think I could fix this with just a little duct tape... *he mumbles as he examines the ancient looking device in his hand.*
Franziska: *At that moment, Franziska happens to be entering the police department-- the evidence she currently has for her current case is far from sufficient, and she's fairly certain she knows exactly whose fault that is.*
Franziska: *She moves purposefully down the hall, various detectives stepping nervously out of her way, before she reaches the office of Detective Gumshoe. She raps once, sharply, on the door before entering and glaring at him, the boxes and mess around his office not even registering with her.* Scruffy.
Gumshoe: *He doesn't even notice her come in as he's in deep contemplation over whether to get a new trash can for his new office or just use his old one. He finally decides on the latter, just as he hears a familiar female voice calling him.* Huh? *He quickly looks up from the task at hand, and immediately spots Franziska, who has a particularly menacing scowl on her face.* Oh...!
Franziska: *She steps forward, holding the slim file she's carrying in front of her before placing it down on his desk.* I wanted to ask you why on earth you had the idea to-- *She trails off, frowning, as she looks around the room before glancing back to Gumshoe with a sigh.* ...You've been fired again?
Gumshoe: *he immediately straightens up at she steps closer to him, instinctively breaking out into a sweat.* Did I do something wrong again, sir? *then her question dawns on him.* I'VE BEEN FIRED?!
Franziska: *She leans back the slightest bit, instinctively, at the sudden volume of his voice.* Well, aside from you abruptly quitting, I can think of no other reason for you to be packing all of... this. *She nods vaguely, a bit disgusted, at the various scattered junk.*
Gumshoe: ....? *His look of horror slowly morphs into confusion, and then finally to a bright smile.* OH! You mean this, sir? *He sighs in relief and motions to the stack of boxes on his desk.* I'm not leaving, Ms. von Karma! I've been promoted! I'm movin' offices!
Franziska: ...Promoted? *Her tone is incredulous.* ...To what, dare I ask?
Gumshoe: Chief of the LAPD, of course! *He beams excitedly.* Can you believe it, sir?! I could hardly believe it myself!
Franziska: ...What? *The words take a moment to register, Franziska staring in blank shock.* ...Chief... of Police. ...You mean to tell me that you are the current Chief of Police.
Gumshoe: Yes! *hardly able to contain his glee, he suddenly remembers something and hurriedly rummages around his cramped office in search of something. He finally finds what he's looking for lying under an old cardboard box overflowing with files sitting on his chair. Promptly hands Franziska his crumpled promotion letter.* Here!
Franziska: *She takes the letter silently, staring at it for a few moments before it registers and setting it carefully aside after she reads it. Her hand moves in the slightest bit towards her whip.* Detective, if this is some kind of a joke...
Gumshoe: Erk..! *Recoils by instinct at her small but all too familiar motion.* N-No, sir! This is not a joke! I know how you don't like jokes!
Franziska: *She struggles to compose herself, glancing from the letter to the boxes and back before exhaling heavily.* Was there any reason given for this promotion, then?
Gumshoe: *in a small voice.* That's what everyone seems to want to know... *then a bit louder* They said I had seniority, sir! I guess this means I won't be doing much field work for ya' anymore. *he lets out a hearty chuckle and scratches the back of his head bashfully.* I hope you won't miss me too much!
Franziska: *Well. She pauses, considering--that's a plus, at least.* ...Somehow, Detective, I'm sure I'll manage. *And another fact occurs to her.* ...You have, I assume, told Miles Edgeworth about this development?
Gumshoe: Oh, yup! Mr. Edgeworth was the very first one I told! *he beams his widest smile.* He seemed pretty busy, though…movin' and all. What a coincidence to be promoted at the exact same time, don't ya think?! The upper-ups must really know we make such a great team! *Gumshoe gets back to poking around his desk drawers and opens one to find an open bag of potato chips stuffed in the back.* Y-You want a chip, sir? *He hesitates before offering the bag to the prosecutor.
Franziska: ...No thank you, Detective. *She feels a twinge of sympathy for her little brother, but at least he's always been better at dealing with Gumshoe than she has.* ...Well, I suppose I should offer you my congratulations, in any case.
Gumshoe: Thank you, sir! I really appreciate it! *Stuffs his hand in the bag and casually pops a chip in his mouth. Hmm, stale…but edible. He then thinks back to why Franziska came to his old office in the first place. After all, she never stops by unless its absolutely necessary and there is important business to deal with.* Oh, was there something you needed to talk to me about, sir?
Franziska: *She blinks, picking the folder up off the desk.* Ah... nothing. ...It's something I should take up with one of the other detectives.
Gumshoe: *is slightly surprised to see Franziska at such a loss of words for a change but doesn't think much of it.* Alright then, sorry you had to see my office in such an unorganized state. *he chuckles.* You could stick around to see if I find anything that you might wanna take with you, sir?
Franziska: *She sighs, apparently struggling to keep her composure-- this is going to be difficult.* No, that's quite all right, Detective. I should probably be leaving, in any case.
Gumshoe: *looks slightly disappointed but at the same time is rather relieved that he hasn't received a whipping yet.* Oh, okay, sir. Well, now ya' know where to find me if ya' ever need me! *points up at the ceiling* I'll be up at the top in the big old office!
Franziska: ...Right. ...Goodbye, then, Detective. *After a brief moment, she turns quietly and leaves the office, still entirely in shock and not quite sure what to make of this.*
Gumshoe: Bye, Ms. von Karma! Have a nice day! *Goes back to cheerily "organizing" his belongings without realizing that he's already mixed up his "to keep" pile with the "throw away" one. From the looks of it, it was going to be a long night, but nothing could put a damper on Gumshoe's mood. Nope, not today.*
~+~+~+~
Franziska: *February, 2025. Franziska sits at her desk in her office, sorting carefully through the papers in front of her. She doesn't have nearly as much evidence for this case as she should, which is upsetting but it's hardly her fault, because if the detectives at the precinct were more helpful-- she sighs and gathers herself, glancing down to the papers again.*
Gumshoe: *Gumshoe swallows the lump in his throat as he wipes his sweaty palms on the front of his black slacks. He had been at the Prosecutor’s Office on business and thought to stop by Fransziska’s office before he left, as he remembered that she had mentioned on her journal that she wished to speak with him concerning some newly recruited detectives. Franziska’s attitude towards Gumshoe had noticeably changed since his promotion and he knew he shouldn’t be afraid of her, but unfortunately old habits die hard. He finally gathers enough courage to knock on her closed door.*
Franziska: *Her head snaps up at the knock-- she hadn't been expecting anyone.* Come in.
Gumshoe: *nearly drags his feet as he enters the room but forces himself to smile.* Hey, Ms. von Karma? It's Gumshoe. *he scratches the back of his head nervously* You wanted to speak with me, sir?
Franziska: ...Ah, yes, I did. *She shuffles the papers again, glancing at him as she does so.* Yes, I... wanted to speak with you about the new recruits being allowed into the department and assigned-- *She looks down at a file* --to high-profile cases.
Gumshoe: Ah, right, about that... *Gumshoe takes a step closer to her desk but as a precaution, makes sure he's not within whipping distance.* Well, I know it's probably not so common to throw them into a big case like that...but we were a little short handed, and I figured they had to start somewhere. *He laughs nervously and is beginning to sweat even more, although he tries to conceal this by not-so-subtlety wiping his forehead with the back of his dirty jacket sleeve.* --Unless you have some specific problems with any of them, sir?
Franziska: *She pushes the papers aside and focuses on him.* As a matter of fact, Chief Gumshoe, I do have a specific problem with them, when their inexperience begins to hinder investigation.
Gumshoe: Ahh... *frowning, he shifts his weight around uncomfortably* Sorry about that, sir. I'll be sure to do what I can and swap some detectives around for you. Uh--I think Crescend just got off a case, so he's available now. Would that work?
Franziska: *She tenses automatically.* ...I'm not sure that's entirely wise. *And sighs, leaning back slightly and pausing before she continues.* I'm sure it's necessary for you to give these detectives the training they need, but I would recommend you at least inform them that being easily intimidated is not an ideal trait for a member of the police force, and that if they are afraid to cooperate with someone they work with, perhaps the field for them.
Gumshoe: I assure you they've gone through all the proper training, sir. *he can't help but feel a smidge defensive after having his detectives criticized.* I'm also pretty confident that they aren't usually so scared...it's just... *he slowly trails off, afraid of the consequences should he finish the sentence, but decides it needs to be said. In a small voice* Honestly, I-I think, it's you, sir. They're just scared of you and your whip.
Franziska: *She focuses silently on one of the papers before she says anything.* Very well then. Let us assume that it is me intimidating them. ...What would you suggest be done about this? Because, as I understand it, these are people putting their lives on the line on a regular basis, so I fail to see why they should be terrified to the point of not doing their jobs properly due to the threat of discipline.
Gumshoe: .... *finds himself a bit at a loss for words. After all, she does have a valid point there.* Well speaking from experience, sir...with all due respect, your whip can be just as intimidating as a crazy man with a loaded gun. *flustered, he immediately tries to rephrase what he’s just let slip* N-Not that I'm sayin' you're a crazy person, sir! I know you do it with good intentions to put people in their right place...It's just, maybe your methods are slightly a bit harsh...that's all, sir. Just slightly…!
Franziska: Harsh they may be, but I've certainly found them effective in the past. *She touches her hand very briefly to her whip at her side, almost as if to emphasize this point.* ...Nevertheless, I will attempt to be a bit more forgiving with them-- as long as you ensure that they're performing efficiently.
Gumshoe: O-Of course, Ms. von Karma! *visibly flinches as he follows Franziska's hand with his eyes. She wouldn't actually whip him would she? It's been a while since she actually has, but he's not willing to push his luck.* So, I guess it's alright if we keep the recruits assigned to your case? I mean, I have absolutely no issue with you disciplining them...but, I have to say...please don't cause them any physical harm, sir. W-we can’t afford any lawsuits on our hands. *he says this half jokingly and half serious with a nervous laugh*
Franziska: *She raises an eyebrow.* If you're confident there will not be further problems, then by all means keep them on the case.
Gumshoe: Yes, sir. I am very confident! *breathes a sigh of relief and grins* So, now that's we've got that all cleared up, I guess we're done here? *before she even has a chance to reply, Gumshoe quickly turns for the door as if he can't get out of her office fast enough. However in the midst of his hurry, he clumsily stumbles on his own feet, causing his hefty upper body to come crashing down on a decorative vase and stained glass lamp sitting on a table against the wall. There is a loud shattering noise as the objects crash to the floor.* ....!!
Franziska: *She's already turned back to her work as he's leaving, so she hears the crash far too late to react-- but when she does hear it, her fist clenches automatically and she speaks without looking up at Gumshoe.* What. Was that?
Gumshoe: N-nothing, sir! *in a state of panic, he attempts to shield the scene of the disaster from her view with his back.* I-I mean, you can take the damages out of my paycheck, sir! Or...if you just give me some superglue, I'm sure I can put these back together in no time...!
Franziska: ...Rest assured I would, were I, in fact, able to deduct from your pay at the moment. *Her voice trembles with anger, but she still seems... remarkably controlled, for her.* For now, I am going to ask that you cease this foolishness and remove yourself from my office. At once.
Gumshoe: Y-Yes, sir. Of course! *doesn't even bother to dust himself off as he scrambles off the floor, remnants of the vase and lamp clutched in his hands.* D-Do you want these, sir? *unsure, he holds up the pieces for her to see.*
Franziska: No, Scruffy, I-- *She halts at her instinctive use of the old nickname and sighs, composing herself.* ...Just... leave them.
Gumshoe: *obviously flustered* Oh, um, okay, sir! *he apologetically looks at the mess he's made, one last time* I'm really sorry, Ms. von Karma. *with that he unthinkingly pockets the ceramic and glass pieces he had in his hands and scurries out the door as inconspicuously as his awkward body would allow. Once outside the door he lets out a long sigh. He really hopes that she won't take this out on his recruits, but fortunately, he has a feeling that she's matured quite a bit since his detective days. He attempts to reassure himself* Ah, they should probably be alright...
Franziska: *Inside, Franziska runs her hand through her hair and takes several long, deep breaths. She wonders, once again, exactly how Gumshoe got to be Chief of Police, before turning her attention to the mess in front of her office door.*